Multiple entity video capture coordination

ABSTRACT

A capture operation is identified. The capture operation is of a video stream of a subject located in an environment. The capture operation is performed by a first capture device from a first perspective of the subject. A perspective update request of the video stream is received. In response to the perspective update request, one or more candidate capture devices in the environment is detected. A second capture device is selected as a selected capture device, from the one or more candidate capture devices. The second capture device is instructing to perform the capture operation based on the selection. The video stream is transferred from the first capture device to the second capture device. The transferring updates the video stream to a second perspective of the subject.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to video capture, and more specifically,to coordinating multiple devices configured to capture a subject.

Video is a medium of consumption that includes multiple still images.Video can provide an impact to a viewer by various attributes of thevideo, such as the scene, the setting, and other relevant contentattributes. The perspective of a video is one content attribute that canincrease the quality or usefulness of a video media.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments, disclosed are a method, system, and computerprogram product.

A capture operation is identified. The capture operation is of a videostream of a subject located in an environment. The capture operation isperformed by a first capture device from a first perspective of thesubject. A perspective update request of the video stream is received.In response to the perspective update request, one or more candidatecapture devices in the environment is detected. A second capture deviceis selected as a selected capture device, from the one or more candidatecapture devices. The second capture device is instructing to perform thecapture operation based on the selection. The video stream istransferred from the first capture device to the second capture device.The transferring updates the video stream to a second perspective of thesubject.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts the representative major components of an examplecomputer system that may be used, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an example system of capturing an environment frommultiple capture devices while maintain perspective of a video stream,consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an example method of maintaining a perspective in a videostream, consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts an example system of capturing an environment frommultiple captures devices while changing a perspective, consistent withsome embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 depicts an example method of changing a perspective in a videostream, consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to video capture, moreparticular aspects relate to coordinating multiple devices configured tocapture a subject. While the present disclosure is not necessarilylimited to such applications, various aspects of the disclosure may beappreciated through a discussion of various examples using this context.

Video is a medium that garners information and can provide enjoyment formany individuals' daily lives. Further, the prevalence of networkconnected computing devices has increased video consumption.Specifically, video streams may be shared widely with the broadenedreach of sharing sites. For example, many millions of viewers seek outvarious subjects to watch in video media daily through broadcastnetworks and through the Internet. In various situations, video streamsare produced and shared for various types of news incidents, sports,events, etc.

Another increase in the consumption and sharing of video is that of theproliferation of relatively inexpensive devices capable of capturingvideo. Specifically, as smartphones, tablets, personal digitalassistants, and other relatively inexpensive computing devices haveproliferated, so too has the proliferation of cameras. For example, inmany lifestyles, a large majority of users have settled on using asmartphone as the primary or only form of computing device in theirlives. One reason this majority of users has chosen a smartphone becauseit is relatively portable, and because it functions as a relativelyhigh-quality video capture device. These users often travel to variousenvironments and almost always carry a smartphone, so that they maycapture and share video with friends, family, and the public at large.In another example, many individuals may own and/or operate unmannedautonomous vehicles (“UAVs”) for recreational use. Again, the UAVs mayalmost always be equipped with a camera which facilitates for thecapture of various environments. The footage of capture from the UAVsmay be very compelling, as these devices may be able to capture aerialor panning shots of various subjects that are unusual, interesting, orotherwise visually arresting.

Video that is well composited or created may be helpful to a variety ofuses. For example, video continuity may be helpful to maximizeunderstanding of the subject in an educational video. In anotherexample, watching entertainment programming, seamless video may lead tomore immersion of the viewer. In yet another example, for investigativepurposes, jarring or large changes in video may make a video lessunderstandable for users that are trying to recreate footage of anincident. One aspect of video media that relates to its usefulness isthat of the perspective of viewing a particular subject. A video capturethat contains continuity and/or uninterrupted perspectives or othercomposition features can be a benefit for viewers.

With the proliferation and democratization of video capture devices,there may be drawbacks in creating a video that has a qualityperspective. Specifically, it may be difficult to plan, coordinate, orotherwise capture and create video from a plurality of capture devicesthat compares favorably with the composition value of professionallyshot video. One drawback relates to efficiency in creating a video withmultiple capture devices. For example, in an environment where multiplecapture devices are operating, creating a video may result in wastefulor overlapping video that could be covering the same target area fromsimilar perspectives. Another drawback may be in the ability to capturea perspective this is actually desirable and/or useful. For example,capture devices may be operated by individual users without expertise inunderstanding how to composite a video. These individual users may notknow how to coordinate video creation efforts with others, which maylead to a jarring or incomplete video.

Yet another drawback is that various individuals may have shortattention spans, or may not have the ability to navigate through uneventerrain or around larger subjects. For example, a user may not be ableto fully walk around a building to create a video that circles thebuilding due to a lack of walking endurance. In another example, manyusers may be crowded around a single subject, such as a sporting event,and the crowd may prevent a capture device of one user to gracefullymove around the sporting event to capture all angles. In the case ofuser operated UAVs, users may also face difficulty in successfuloperation and video capture. For example, users of UAVS may havedifficulty in directing a UAV as the controls of the UAV may becumbersome or unintuitive, and so a user may not be able to move quicklyenough, or to change the location or position of a UAV for a qualityvideo capture. In another example, a user may have difficulty piloting aUAV and accurately capturing usable or quality video that maintains aperspective or provides a reasonable continuity when changingperspectives.

Yet still another set of drawbacks may be capture device limitationsthat impede the capture device from fully capturing the subject. Onedevice limitation may be that capture devices have relatively small orlimited power sources, such as batteries. These power sources may limitthe amount of time or footage that can be captured. Both smartphones andUAVs may not be able to capture a single shot that is longer than twentyor thirty seconds without frequent stops to replenish the battery. Inthis case, an orchestrated handoff or transfer of the video may be moreuseful than a single continuous shot. For example, a UAV may have alimited battery that is not capable of powering the UAV to capture theentire area or for the entire duration. Another device limitation isthat of storage space. Many smartphones and UAVs do not haveinterchangeable storage devices and so they may be limited to capturingand offloading video that is relatively short (e.g., less than a minutelong).

More technologically complicated video capture devices may exist, butthere are drawbacks to these complicated devices. For example, acomplicated video capture device may be relatively expensive and may notbe at the location of every subject. In another example, a complicatedvideo capture device may be relatively heavy. In such cases, a user mayhave trouble carrying the complicated video capture device for anyamount of time without fatigue or without the video suffering from shakyor uneven capture. Further, a complicated capture device may involvemounting the device on a relatively large and/or loud UAV that may notbe able to maneuver through the environment or may scare or distract thesubject. Another drawback is that an environment may be closed offand/or permits may need to be acquired as a precursor to capturing videowith complicated capture devices.

Further, there exists a need for video streams to be increasinglyinteractive. Specifically, live videos of any event can be captured bymultiple people from different directions, or different direction of anysurrounding can be captured in live video. The receiving party of thelive videos might want to view larger coverage and might want to viewthe event from different directions, and currently selected live videofeed may not be sufficient for the user, the capturing device may nothave the endurance to maintain continuous coverage of the desiredsubject, or it might not be possible for some reason (weather, terrain,security, etc. to continue or move to provide a different perspective).

Multiple Entity Video Capture Coordination (“MVC”) may operate toovercome the various drawbacks in capturing video from multiple capturedevices (e.g., smartphones, UAVs, Augmented Reality (“AR”) glasses,video cameras). MVC may operate to aggregate video of multiple videocapture devices and orchestrate a single video stream that benefits fromcapture operations of multiple capture devices. The MVC may operatebased on the physical position, the relative direction, and the field ofview and/or angle of view of capture devices. The MVC may operate inrelation to a subject in a video. Specifically, a video stream that isto be watched or consumed by a viewing device and may have a perspectiveof an environment. More specifically, the perspective of a video streammay be the perspective of a subject in the environment. The MVC mayoperate by recording, filing, or otherwise capturing the subject fromthe perspective (e.g., performing a capture operation of a specificperspective). The MVC may also coordinate the transfer of a videostream. For example, the MVC may execute a relay, hand-off, or otherrelevant switch in capturing duties between a first capture device and asecond capture device. The MVC can be carried out repetitively (over andover—from camera to camera to camera, etc.) for numerous digitaltransfers. The result of the repeated operation may be a longer lengthlive shooting experiences that approximates or reproduces the movementsand perspective changes of a single capture device.

The MVC may operate in response to a viewing device, to perform captureoperations of a video stream and to update the perspective of videostream. In detail, while watching a live video of any environment,subject, or surrounding, the participating users can define an update orchange to a perspective from one or more defined viewing parameters. Thedefined viewing parameters related to a change in perspective may bedefined as a change in direction (rotating), position (e.g., panning),and/or field of view (“FOV”) (alternatively, angular field of view)(e.g., zoom). The viewing device may capture a request for an update toa perspective. For example, a viewing device may capture gesturecommands, voice commands, mouse input, mouse pointer movement, headmovement from head tracking, etc. Responsive to the input from theviewing devices, the MVC may update the perspective (e.g., direction,position, FOV) of a video stream. The MVC may update the perspective byselecting a second capture device to take over capture actions from afirst capture device. For example, the MVC may transfer the capture froma first capture device to a second capture device. Further, the MVC mayupdate the perspective by adjusting a capture operation of one or moreof the capture devices. For example, the MVC may instruct a firstcapture device to adjust a position, a direction, aperture adjustment,exposure amount, motion compensation, or a field of view. In anotherexample, the MVC may instruct a second capture device to adjust similarattributes.

Consequently, the MVC may provide an interactive aggregate video streamthat may be updated based on a viewing device of a user. For example,all viewing devices may be able to navigate through a plurality of videocapture devices that each have different perspectives and may be able todirect the capture of a video stream. In some embodiments, the videostream may be transferred from a first capture device and to a secondcapture device while maintaining the perspective of the video stream. Insome embodiments, the video stream may be transferred from a firstcapture device and to a second capture device by providing a second ornew perspective of the video stream. The viewing demand may beidentified from various viewers and an updated perspective may bedetermined by the MVC.

The viewing requests and/or demands of an updated perspective mayinclude the demands of a single viewer. For example, if one viewer iswatching the video stream, and the single viewer requests that the videostream pan to the left three feet while circling a subject, the MVC maydirect, prompt, or otherwise cause an adjustment to the video stream topan to the left three feet while circling a subject.

The viewing demands may be based on a plurality of viewers. For example,one or more viewing devices may be viewing a video stream of a firstcapture device in an environment. The MVC may cause an adjustment to thevideo stream based on or in consideration of all of the viewing devicesthat are viewing the video stream. The adjustment may be a mean, median,or other relevant technique to adjust a capture device based on anaverage of the viewing devices. For example, twenty-three viewingdevices may request a video to pan to the right by twelve feet whilecentering on the subject. Continuing the example, fifteen additionalviewing devices may request the video to pan to the left four feet whilecentering on the subject. Further continuing the example, the MVC mayaverage the inputs from all the viewing devices and the MVC may cause anadjustment of a pan that is approximately five to six feet to the right.The adjustment may be based on a subset or single viewing devicerequest. For example, if multiple viewing devices request differingperspective updates, the MVC may rank the differing perspective updates.The ranking may be based on one or more factors (e.g., a perspectiveupdate request ranked higher for being similar to others request, aperspective update request ranked higher for being a smaller perspectiveupdate, a perspective update request ranked higher for consuming lessresources to perform).

The adjustment may be that of directly directing or adjusting thecapture operation of a capture device (e.g., adjusting the video devicebased on the one or more defined viewing parameters). For example, if afirst capture device is mounted to a UAV, and the request is to adjustthe FOV to tighten in on a subject, the MVC may directly adjust an FOVsetting of the UAV. The adjustment may be an indirect adjustment of acapture device. For example, if a user is directly operating asmartphone, UAV, or other capture device. The MVC may determine theadjustment and generate one or more instructions for the user. The usermay be informed by the capture device displaying or providing therequired instructions (e.g., a statement saying “pan to the left” on adisplay of the capture device, an arrow indicating a rotation to theleft on a display of the capture device, a plurality of arrows to theright on a display of the capture device indicating multiple usersprefer the video to be rotated slightly to the right).

The MVC may operate to handoff or transfer video to various availableadditional capture devices. The MVC may detect the various additionalcapture devices that may be useful as candidate capture devices to takeover or transfer the video stream to. The detection may includebroadcasting a request to other various additional capture devices. Forexample, a video stream of a first subject in an environment may becaptured by a first capture device. The MVC may transmit a networkrequest for additional capture devices. The network request may betransmitted through a local network, such as a wireless network or apersonal area network. The network request may be in the form of abroadcast request that is sent out without direction to any particularadditional device. The network request may be broadcast in theenvironment or in a proximity to the environment. For example, the MVCmay detect that a first capture device is a smartphone capturing aFerris Wheel from the north side of the Ferris Wheel at an amusementpark. The MVC may determine based on one or more contextual data points(e.g., Global Position System information, image detection) theenvironment around the Ferris Wheel and may further broadcast a networkrequest to various capture-capable devices in range. The broadcast maybe to areas that are within proximity of the environment. For example,the amusement park may have one or more shops or theaters that are alsonear the Ferris Wheel but are not outside in the environment and in viewof the environment. The MVC may still, despite no direct line of sightto the Ferris Wheel, still broadcast the request for additional capturedevices to the environment.

To transfer a video stream from a first capture device to a secondcapture device, the MVC may select from or narrow down from multiplecandidate capture devices. The selection of a candidate capture devicemay be based on a limitation of the first capture device. Specifically,a limitation of the first capture device may be detected andresponsively, the MVC may begin to seek out additional capture devicesthat may overcome the limitation. The limitation may be related to astorage status or other storage limitation of the first capture device.For example, the first capture device may be a UAV with a limitedstorage on its memory card that is almost full. The MVC may detect thatthe UAV is running low on storage and may select another candidate as aselected capture device to continue providing the video stream; acandidate may be selected that has a relatively free amount of storage.The limitation may be related to a power status or power limitation ofthe first capture device. For example, the first capture device may be asmartphone that has been recording a view of a nature exhibit for a fewminutes and live streaming the nature exhibit. The smartphone may berunning low on battery, such that the battery has an indicated charge ofless than twenty percent battery charge remaining. Based upon thebattery being at twenty percent charge a power status may indicate tothe MVC that there is a capture limitation of the first device. Upondetecting a plurality of candidate capture devices, the MVC may select acandidate capture device from the plurality of candidate capturedevices. The selected capture device may be a candidate capture devicethat has a greater power status than the first capture device. Forexample, a candidate capture device may be selected from the pluralcandidate capture devices, if the selected capture device has a greaterbattery charge than the first capture device.

The selection of a candidate capture device by the MVC may be based onother criteria. One selection criterion may be based on a prediction ofa demand from viewing devices. Specifically, the MVC may record thehistorical viewing of previous captures. The historical viewing may bestored and related to a particular capture device. For example, the MVCmay store and record previous captures of a smartphone of a first useror a UAV of a second user. The historical viewing may be stored andrelated to a particular environment. For example, the MVC may store andrecord one or more viewing parameters that relate to previous sessionsof an outdoor nature exhibit. The selection of a candidate capture andthe instruction of how to perform capture operations may be generated bythe MVC based on the historical viewing. For example, at a firstsporting event in the past, a viewer may define one or more viewingparameters such as a pan around certain moves or sporting tactics thatoccur or are related to a person scoring a goal. At a later date, asecond sporting event may occur. The MVC may predict demand for viewingdevices of the second sporting event and may proactively instructcapture devices to perform capture operations that are consistent withthe capture operations of the first sporting event. Another selectioncriterion may be a capture limitation of the first capture device incontinuing to perform or respond to performing a capture operation.

In a first example, a first user may be recording a video from theirsmartphone and may enable the video to be shared and accessible to usersas part of a live streaming event. The user's smartphone may direct themto walk behind a statue at a park. The user may be responsive to therequest and may begin to walk around from the front of the statue, butupon reaching the side of the statue the user may slow down or stopmoving. The user may not continue to move because other users may blocka walking path of the user, or because the user is no longer interestedin performing the capture operation. Responsive to the user not movinganymore, the MVC may detect a capture limitation in the first userdevice in continuing to perform the capture operation of the livestream. Further, and in response to the capture limitation, the MVC maysend out a request for additional capture devices, and responsively theMVC may identify one or more candidate capture devices that arecomplying by moving into the position or proximity or a handoff zone ofthe first capture device. If no devices are capable of becomingproximate to the first capture device, the MVC may select from thecandidate capture devices based on one or more of the capture devicesthat are relatively close to or near the handoff zone or proximity.

In a second example, the MVC may calculate the demand of a plurality ofviewing devices. The MVC may determine one or more parameters such asthe defined viewing parameters. The defined viewing parameters mayinclude a time component. Specifically, one or more of the viewingdevices may include a request that also indicates a time component forthe position, the direction, and the FOV. The time component may includethe duration that a particular capture may take place. For example, aviewing device may indicate that a pan at approximately two to threemiles per hour for twenty seconds while circling a subject may bereceived by the MVC from a viewing device. The MVC may identify acapable capture device, such as a UAV or a person with a camera that isable to move at such a rate of speed and that is also proximate to theenvironment of the subject.

The MVC may provide for benefits compared to other methods of capturinga subject. Specifically, the MVC may facilitate a capture from usersthat do not have steady or consistent control of a video capture. Inaddition, the MVC may permit a capture device to successfully capturelong sustained single shot perspectives that are comparable in qualityto those created with complicated or professional capture devices, butwithout the use of expensive equipment. For example, a MVC mayfacilitate a single shot that moves through an environment or quicklypanning or shifting perspective without the use of dollies, gimbals, ortracks. The MVC may also reduce the cost and complexity around certainsingle shot perspectives and shifting perspectives, and without the needof large or heavy cameras, UAVs, smartphones, or other complicatedcapture devices.

In some embodiments, the MVC may operate to render a specificperspective. Specifically, in response to detecting a user accessing alive video, the MVC may operate by identifying and aggregating differentperspectives (e.g., FOVs) of the live video. The different perspectivesmay correspond to different capture device that are currently capturinglive video at different physical positions in an environment. The MVCmay receive one or more defined parameters from a viewing device thatdemand an updated perspective (e.g., the continuation of a perspective,the shift from a first perspective to a second perspective). In responseto receiving the defined parameters, one or more of the capture devicesmay be directed to capture the updated perspective. The notification bythe MVC to any of the capturing devices may be based on a location of acapture device. For example, a subset of the capture devices (but notothers) may be notified that are proximate to the current perspectiveand/or the updated perspective. The notification communicated by the MVCto any of the capturing devices may include the one or more definedparameters.

In some embodiments, a capture operation of a video steam of a subjectmay be identified. The capture operation is performed by a first capturedevice. The subject is located in an environment. The video streamincludes a perspective of the subject. A capture limitation of the firstcapture device is determined. The capture limitation is related to thefirst capture device capturing the subject. One or more candidatecapture devices are detected in the environment in response to thecapture limitation. A second capture device is selected from the one ormore candidate capture devices as a selected capture device. The secondcapture device is instructed to perform the capture operation based onthe selected capture device. The video stream is transitioned and/ortransferred from the first capture device to the second capture device.The transfer maintains the perspective of the video stream. In someembodiments, a transfer zone is identified before transferring the videostream from the first capture device to the second capture device. Thetransfer zone may be identified based on the first capture device, thesecond capture device, or a combination of the first and second capturedevices. In some embodiments, the first capture device may be directedtowards the transfer zone. In some embodiments, the second capturedevice may be directed towards the transfer zone.

In some embodiments, a capture operation of a video steam of a subjectlocated in an environment may be identified. The capture operation maybe performed by a first capture device from a first perspective on thesubject. A perspective update request of the video stream is received.One or more candidate capture devices in the environment are detected inresponse to the perspective update request. A second capture device isselected from the one or more candidate capture devices as a selectedcapture device. The second capture device is instructed to perform thecapture operation based on the selected capture device. The video streamis transferred and/or transitioned from the first capture device to thesecond capture device. The transfer updates the video stream from thefirst perspective to a second perspective of the subject. The selectedcapture device may be a candidate that is closed in perspective to firstperspective.

FIG. 1 depicts the representative major components of an examplecomputer system 100 (alternatively, computer) that may be used, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It isappreciated that individual components may vary in complexity, number,type, and/or configuration. The particular examples disclosed are forexample purposes only and are not necessarily the only such variations.The computer system 100 may include a processor 110, memory 120, aninput/output interface (herein I/O or I/O interface) 130, and a main bus140. The main bus 140 may provide communication pathways for the othercomponents of the computer system 100. In some embodiments, the main bus140 may connect to other components such as a specialized digital signalprocessor (not depicted).

The processor 110 of the computer system 100 may be comprised of one ormore cores 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D (collectively 112). The processor 110may additionally include one or more memory buffers or caches (notdepicted) that provide temporary storage of instructions and data forthe cores 112. The cores 112 may perform instructions on input providedfrom the caches or from the memory 120 and output the result to cachesor the memory. The cores 112 may be comprised of one or more circuitsconfigured to perform one or more methods consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In some embodiments, the computer system 100 maycontain multiple processors 110. In some embodiments, the computersystem 100 may be a single processor 110 with a singular core 112.

The memory 120 of the computer system 100 may include a memorycontroller 122. In some embodiments, the memory 120 may include arandom-access semiconductor memory, storage device, or storage medium(either volatile or non-volatile) for storing data and programs. In someembodiments, the memory may be in the form of modules (e.g., dualin-line memory modules). The memory controller 122 may communicate withthe processor 110, facilitating storage and retrieval of information inthe memory 120. The memory controller 122 may communicate with the I/Ointerface 130, facilitating storage and retrieval of input or output inthe memory 120.

The I/O interface 130 may include an I/O bus 150, a terminal interface152, a storage interface 154, an I/O device interface 156, and a networkinterface 158. The I/O interface 130 may connect the main bus 140 to theI/O bus 150. The I/O interface 130 may direct instructions and data fromthe processor 110 and memory 120 to the various interfaces of the I/Obus 150. The I/O interface 130 may also direct instructions and datafrom the various interfaces of the I/O bus 150 to the processor 110 andmemory 120. The various interfaces may include the terminal interface152, the storage interface 154, the I/O device interface 156, and thenetwork interface 158. In some embodiments, the various interfaces mayinclude a subset of the aforementioned interfaces (e.g., an embeddedcomputer system in an industrial application may not include theterminal interface 152 and the storage interface 154).

Logic modules throughout the computer system 100—including but notlimited to the memory 120, the processor 110, and the I/O interface130—may communicate failures and changes to one or more components to ahypervisor or operating system (not depicted). The hypervisor or theoperating system may allocate the various resources available in thecomputer system 100 and track the location of data in memory 120 and ofprocesses assigned to various cores 112. In embodiments that combine orrearrange elements, aspects and capabilities of the logic modules may becombined or redistributed. These variations would be apparent to oneskilled in the art.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed. Cloud computing is a model of service delivery forenabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool ofconfigurable computing resources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth,servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines,and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimalmanagement effort or interaction with a provider of the service. Thiscloud model may include at least five characteristics, at least threeservice models, and at least four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases

automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quicklyscale in. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioningoften appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at anytime.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two

or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain uniqueentities but are bound together by standardized or proprietarytechnology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloudbursting for load-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a set of functional abstraction layersprovided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1 ) is shown. It shouldbe understood in advance that the components, layers, and functionsshown in FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments ofthe invention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layersand corresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and MVC 96.

FIG. 4 depicts an example system 400 of capturing an environment 410from multiple capture devices while maintaining the perspective of avideo stream, consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure.Specifically, system 400 may be configured to perform Multiple EntityVideo Capture Coordination. System 400 may operate in the environment410, to perform one or more capture operations, such as to capture asubject 420 in the environment 410. The subject 420 may be a fixed ormoving object that is located within the environment 410. In thisexample, the subject 420 may be a building that is located at a site ordefined region, such as a city center. However, the subject 420 mayalternatively be a statue, monument, person, activity, or somecombination.

System 400 may include the following: one or more capture devices 430-1,and 430-2 (collectively, capture devices 430); one or more viewingdevices 440-1, 440-2, and 440-3 (collectively, viewing devices 440); andan MVC 450. Though depicted as two capture devices 430 and three viewingdevices 440 in FIG. 4 , more or fewer devices may be anticipated withoutdiffering in scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure. Thecapture devices may be computing devices capable of capturing a videostream, such as smartphones, UAVs, action cameras, and the like. Theviewing devices 440 may be computing devices capable of viewing andproviding input regarding updating a perspective, such as finger-basedgestures, keyboard input, mouse or pointer input, wearable gestures, andthe like. In this example, the viewing devices 440-1, 440-2, and 440-3may be a PDA, laptop, and smartwatch, respectively.

The MVC 450 may be software, hardware, or some combination. The MVC 450may be operable as a single computing device, such as computer 100. TheMVC 450 may operate as an abstracted computing entity, such as an entitywithin a cloud computing environment 50. The MVC 450 may be a standalonecomputer system, e.g., that is separate from the other components ofsystem 400. The MVC 450 may be a component of one of the othercomponents of system 400, such as being embedded into a capture device430, a viewing device 440, or some combination.

The MVC 450 may be configured to transfer operation between capturedevices 430 while maintaining a perspective of the subject 420 in theenvironment 410. Specifically, the MVC 450 may identify the capturedevices 430 and their operation. Capture device 430-1 may be movingthrough the environment 410, as indicated by lines 460-1, 460-2(collectively referred to as line 460). Capture device 430-2 may be alsomoving through the environment 410, as indicated by lines 470-1, 470-2(collectively referred to as line 470). The capture device 430-2 may beperforming a capture operation, as indicated by the solid portion ofline 460 (e.g., line 460-1). The MVC 450 may identify this as a captureoperation of a video stream. The video stream may be publicly broadcastto the viewing devices 440. The capture device 430-1 may be panningwhile maintaining a perspective, specifically, a view that is directedat subject 420 in the environment 410. The capture device 430-1 may bemoving, as indicated by line 460.

At some point, capture device 430-1 may experience a capture limitation.The capture limitation may be a low battery, a lack of storage, a pausein movement, or some other issue related to performing or continuing acapture operation of capture device 430-1. The capture limitation may bea failure of the capture device 430-1 to perform capture operations ofthe environment 410. For example, the viewing devices may indicate adesire for the video stream, that is being capture and provided bycapture device 430-1, to continue. Specifically, the viewing devices mayindicate to MVC 450, a request for the perspective to continueuninterrupted around the subject 420.

In response to determining there is a capture limitation, the MVC 450may operate to seamlessly or uninterruptedly hand off or transfer thevideo stream to another capture device. Specifically, the MVC 450 maybroadcast to other capture devices in the area of or within theenvironment 410. The broadcast request may be for other capture devicesto respond and to be ready to take on capturing the subject 420consistent with the viewing requests of the viewing devices 440.

Responsive to the request, candidate capture devices 430 may beidentified by MVC 450, and a second capture device may be selected.Specifically, capture device 430-2 may in the environment 410 and may bemoving, as indicated by the dotted section 470-1 of line 470. Capturedevice 430-2 may be identified, by MVC 450, and may selected andinstructed to also perform capture operations of the subject 420.

The instructions and transferring, by MVC 450, may include directing ofthe capture devices 430 to become proximate to or intersect each other.For example, a line 460 that indicates the movement of capture device430-1 and line 470 that indicates the movement of capture device 430-2may be determined by MVC 450. These movements may be identified based onmeasuring or analyzing the sensors embedded into the capture devices430, such as GPS, movement, and other relevant location and positionsensors. The MVC 450 may designate a transfer zone 490. The transferzone 490 may be an area or location where each of the capture devicesare directed to meet up or go to at a similar time.

The MVC 450 may make one or more adjustments to the capture device 430-2to mimic, duplicate, or otherwise match the perspective of the capturedevice 430-1. For example, when each of the capture devices 430 arewithin the transfer zone 490, capture device 430-2 may be somewhatcloser in position to the subject 420 than that of capture device 430-1.As a result of the position different, the perspective of the videostream may have a first FOV from the position of the capture device430-1. This first FOV may be wider than the FOV of the capture device430-2 that is relatively closer to the subject 420. The MVC 450 maydetermine the position, the direction, the FOV, and other relevantaspects of the perspectives of each of the capture devices 430. The MVC450 may generate one or more adjustments for the capture device 430-2,to match the perspective of the capture device 430-1. For example, theadjustments may be to adjust to a relatively wider FOV of the capturedevice 430-2. In another example, the adjustments may be to adjust anangle or direction of the capture device 430-2. The adjustments may beprovided to a user of capture device 430-2, such as through arrows,descriptions, or the like.

The MVC 450, may instruct capture device 430-2 to begin capturing thesubject 420. The MVC 450 may further instruct for transfer of the videostream from the capture device 430-1 to capture device 430-2, at alocation 480. During the transfer, at 480, the perspective of the videostream may not change in perspective, from the view of the viewingdevices 440. The capture operation of the video stream may continue ascapture device 430-1 is no longer capturing the video, as shown byportion 460-2 of line 460. The capture operation of the video stream maycontinue by capture device 430-2 as indicated by portion 470-2 of line470.

FIG. 5 depicts an example method 500 of maintaining a perspective in avideo stream, consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure. Method500 may generally be implemented in fixed-functionality hardware,configurable logic, logic instructions, etc., or any combinationthereof. For example, the logic instructions might include assemblerinstructions, ISA instructions, machine instructions, machine dependentinstructions, microcode, state-setting data, configuration data forintegrated circuitry, state information that personalizes electroniccircuitry and/or other structural components that are native to hardware(e.g., host processor, central processing unit/CPU, microcontroller,etc.). In another example, method 500 may be performed by an MVC, suchas MVC 450.

From start 505, a capture operation of a video stream may be identifiedat 510. The video stream may be of a subject. The identification may bein response to a signal for a video stream to begin, such as from aviewing device requesting capture devices to begin broadcasting a video.The identification may be of an existing video stream that is beingcaptured. The capture operation may be performed by a first capturedevice. The subject of the video stream may be located in anenvironment. The video stream may include a perspective of the subject,such as a video that is of the front of an exhibit and the video may bepanning around the subject at a rate of a two feet per minute from adistance of approximately thirty feet.

At 520 a capture limitation of the first capture device may bedetermined. The capture limitation is related to the first capturedevice capturing the subject. For example, the first capture device maybe a user with a handheld camera that is walking through a field ofgrass, rocks and trees around the exhibit. The terrain may be uneven orrocky and it may be difficult for the user to continue moving thecapture device around the exhibit. The capture limitation may bedirectly related to the first capture device. For example, a UAV may becircling around the exhibit and the UAV may be running low on battery.

At 530 one or more candidate capture devices may be detected. Thecandidate capture devices may be detected in response to the limitationbeing determined at 520. For example, as long as the first capturedevice is successfully able to perform the capture without a limitation,it may not be necessary to begin detecting additional capture devices.The detection may include broadcasting, such as through a local computernetwork, for other available candidate capture devices. The detectionmay be restricted to only the area or environment of the capturesubject. The detection may be passive; one or more candidate capturedevices may continually broadcast their availability to perform captureoperations while in the environment (e.g., other users in theenvironment around the exhibit).

At 540, a second capture device may be selected as a selected capturedevice. The selected capture device may be selected from the one or morecandidate capture devices. The selection may be based on a lack of acapture limitation from the candidate capture devices.

At 550, the selected capture device may be instructed to perform thecapture operation. The instruction may be for the second capture deviceto perform the capture operation in addition to the first capturedevice. The simultaneous capture may be used for updating or adjustingthe perspective of the second capture device. For example, the videostream may be of a first perspective, and the capture of the secondcapture device may be of a second perspective. The first perspective andthe second perspective may be compared and one or more adjustments maybe generated for adjusting the second capture operation. The adjustmentsmay be to match the position, the direction, the field of view of thesecond capture device. The adjustments may be for an adjusted directionand field of view as the two capture devices may not be able to occupythe same space. For example, if the second capture device is slightlybehind the first capture device, the perspective of the second capturedevice may be zoomed, an FOV may be tightened, an image may be cropped,or other relevant adjustment.

At 560 the video stream may be transferred from the first capture deviceto the second capture device. The transfer may maintain the perspective.Specifically, the video stream before, during, and after the transfermay be continuous uninterrupted or otherwise visually coherent such thatthe perspective appears to have been maintained.

After the video stream is transferred, at 560, method 500 may end at595.

FIG. 6 depicts an example system 600 of capturing an environment 610from multiple captures devices while changing a perspective, consistentwith some embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, system 600 may beconfigured to perform Multiple Entity Video Capture Coordination. System600 may operate in the environment 410, to perform one or more captureoperations, such as to capture a subject 620 in the environment 610. Thesubject 620 may be a fixed or moving object that is located within theenvironment 610, such as a building, statue, monument, person, activity,or some combination. For example, subject 620 may be a sporting event.The subject 620 may have differing sides 622-1, 622-2, 622-3, and 622-4(collectively, sides 622). The sides 622 may be differing views orpositions that are around the subject 620. For purposes of discussion,side 622-1 may be a near side, side 622-3 may be a far side, side 622-2may be a right side, and side 622-5 may be a left side.

System 600 may include the following: one or more capture devices 630-1,630-2, 630-3, 630-4, 630-5, 630-6, 630-7, and 630-8 (collectively,capture devices 430); one or more viewing devices 440-1, 440-2, and440-3 (collectively, viewing devices 440); and an MVC 650. Thoughdepicted as eight capture devices 430 and three viewing devices 440 inFIG. 6 , more or fewer devices may be anticipated without differing inscope of the various embodiments of the disclosure. The capture devices630 may be computing devices capable of capturing a video stream, suchas smartphones, UAVs, action cameras, and the like. The viewing devices640 may be computing devices capable of viewing and providing inputregarding updating a perspective, such as finger-based gestures,keyboard input, mouse or pointer input, wearable gestures, and the like.

The MVC 650 may be software, hardware, or some combination. The MVC 650may be operate as a single computing device, such as computer 100. TheMVC 650 may operate as an abstracted computing entity, such as cloudcomputing environment 50. The MVC 650 may be a standalone computersystem, e.g., that is separate from the other components of system 600.The MVC 650 may be a component of one of the other components of system600, such as being embedded into a capture device 630, a viewing device640, or some combination.

The MVC 650 may be configured to transfer operation between capturedevices 630 while changing perspectives of the subject 620 in theenvironment 610. Specifically, the MVC 650 may identify the capturedevices 630 and their operation. Capture device 630-1 may be positionedthroughout the environment 610. In detail, some of the capture devices630 may be located on one of the sides 622 of the subject 610. Forexample, capture devices 630-2, 630-3, and 630-4 may be located on side622-1, and capture devices 630-7 and 630-8 may be located on side 622-3.Some of the capture device 630 may be located proximate to multiplesides 622. For example, capture device 630-1 may be proximate to sides622-1 and 622-4. Continuing the example, capture device 630-5 may beproximate to sides 622-1 and 622-2. Further continuing the example,capture device 630-6 may be proximate to sides 622-2 and 622-3. Thecapture devices 630 may be actively recording an aggregating video thatis broadcast out as a video stream.

The MVC 650 may identify this as a capture operation of a video stream.The video stream may be publicly broadcast to the viewing devices 640.The viewing devices 640 may be configured to provide perspective updaterequests regarding the video stream. For example, a viewing device 640-1may be viewing the video stream of capture device 630-3. The perspectiveof capture device 630-3 may be of the front side 622-1 of the subject620. The viewing device 640-1 may receive one or more inputs, gestures,voice commands, and the like to adjust the perspective to a newperspective. The inputs may be captured and may be sent as a perspectiveupdate request.

The MVC 650 may receive the perspective update request. The MVC 650 mayrespond to the perspective update request by seeking a second capturedevice 630 to switch to from a first capture device 630. The secondcapture device 630 may be selected from one or more candidate capturedevices. The selection may be based on identifying a second capturedevice 630 that has a logical or cogent second perspective to switch tofrom the perspective of the first capture device. For example, a videostream may be from the perspective of capture device 630-4. The MVC 650may receive a perspective update request that includes a request toprovide a view that is closer to the side 622-2. The MVC 650 may comparethe perspective update request to the video feeds of the various capturedevices 630 and the MVC 650 may select the capture device 630-5 based onthe perspective being relatively close to the requested perspective. Thecloseness of the perspective may be a closeness in position, direction,FOV, or other attribute.

The selecting may include determining an ideal perspective 660 withinthe environment 610 for capturing the subject. For example, the MVC 650may receive an input from one of the viewing devices 640 that arecurrently viewing the subject 620 from the perspective of the capturedevice 630-5. The input may include a perspective update request withone or more defined viewing parameters. The defined viewing parametersthat make up the ideal perspective 660 may be equivalent to aperspective of a theoretical capture device; a capture device that doesnot actually exist. The MVC 650 may make a comparison between the idealperspective 660 and the perspectives of the other capture devices 630 toselect a capture device. The MVC 650 may identify additionalperspectives of the additional capture devices 630 and may generate alist of the additional perspectives. The list may be used to determine acandidate capture device from the capture devices 630, e.g., by ranking,sorting, or valuing a capture device more or less based on its abilityto respond to the perspective update request.

The MVC 650 may determine that a difference between various perspectivesof the capture devices 630 is beyond a predetermined perspectivethreshold. For example, the video stream may be captured from aperspective of the capture devices 630-7 and the perspective updaterequest is to provide a perspective that is near the side 622-4. The MVC650 may select the capture device 630-1 as being the selected capturedevice based on the perspective update request. The MVC 650 maydetermine that the difference between the perspective of the capturedevices 630-1 and 630-7 is beyond a predetermined perspective threshold.The predetermined perspective threshold may be based on the perspectivechange being disruptive to successfully tracking the subject 620. Forexample, a predetermined perspective threshold may include a number ofdegrees difference in rotation that is greater than forty-five degrees.In another example, a predetermined perspective threshold may include aposition change that is greater than twelve feet. In yet anotherexample, a predetermined perspective threshold may include an updatedperspective where the subject 620 has moved outside of the middle thirdof the video stream. Responsive to determining the predeterminedperspective threshold has been exceeded, the MVC 650 may make one ormore adjustments to the capture devices 630. For example, the MVC 650may generate a set of perspective adjustments of the capture device630-7 that is currently capturing the video stream, by providing tocapture device 630-7 to rotate, pan, or zoom out to get a wider FOV ofthe subject 620. In another example, the MVC 650 may generate andprovide a set of perspective adjustments to the capture device 630-1.

The MVC 650 instructs the selected captured device of the capturedevices 630 to also perform the capture operation, as multiple capturedevices 630 may be simultaneously capturing the subject 620. The MVC 650transfers the video stream to the second capture device of the capturedevices 630. The transfer may update the perspective to a secondperspective.

FIG. 7 depicts an example method 700 of changing a perspective in avideo stream, consistent with some embodiments of the disclosure. Method700 may generally be implemented in fixed-functionality hardware,configurable logic, logic instructions, etc., or any combinationthereof. For example, the logic instructions might include assemblerinstructions, ISA instructions, machine instructions, machine dependentinstructions, microcode, state-setting data, configuration data forintegrated circuitry, state information that personalizes electroniccircuitry and/or other structural components that are native to hardware(e.g., host processor, central processing unit/CPU, microcontroller,etc.). In another example, method 700 may be performed by an MVC, suchas MVC 650.

From start 705, a capture operation of a video stream may be identifiedat 710. The video stream may be of a subject. The identification may bein response to a signal for a video stream to begin, such as from aviewing device requesting capture devices to begin broadcasting a video.The identification may be of an existing video stream that is beingcaptured. The capture operation may be performed by a first capturedevice. The subject of the video stream may be located in anenvironment. The video stream may include a first perspective of thesubject, such as a video that is of the front of a performer from twentyfeet away.

At 720 a request to update a perspective may be received. Theperspective update request may include parameters such as a change inposition, rotation, field of view, or other defined viewing parameter.The perspective update request may be from a single viewing device. theperspective update request may be from a plurality of viewing devices.

At 730 one or more candidate capture devices may be detected. Thecandidate capture devices may also be in the environment of the firstcapture device. For example, additional video capture devices may belocated around the performer in other positions, rotations, and fieldsof view. The candidate capture devices may be detected in response tothe perspective update request being received at 720. For example, aslong as the first capture device is successfully able to perform thecapture without a limitation, it may not be necessary to begin detectingadditional capture devices. The detection may include broadcasting, suchas through a local computer network, for other available candidatecapture devices. The detection may be restricted to only the area orenvironment of the capture subject. The detection may be passive; one ormore candidate capture devices may continually broadcast theiravailability to perform capture operations while in the environment(e.g., other users in the environment around the performer).

At 740 a second capture device may be selected as a selected capturedevice. The selected capture device may be selected from the one or morecandidate capture devices. The selection may be based on a matching orrelatively close to matching perspective to the request. For example, arequest may include a perspective that is to the side of a performer,and one or more candidates may be analyzed to determine if they matchthe side of the performer. The selection may further include determiningan average of the perspective update request; specifically, an averageof multiple perspective update requests, that may be received at 720.

At 750 the selected capture device may be instructed to perform thecapture operation. The instruction may be for the second capture deviceto perform the capture operation in addition to the first capturedevice.

At 760 the video stream may be transferred from the first capture deviceto the second capture device. The transfer may update the perspective.Specifically, the video stream before the transfer may be of the firstperspective. And after the transfer, at 760, the video stream may be ofthe second perspective.

After the video stream is transferred, at 760, method 700 may end at795.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a computer, or other programmable data processing apparatusto produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computerreadable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readablestorage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable dataprocessing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the computer readable storage medium havinginstructions stored therein comprises an article of manufactureincluding instructions which implement aspects of the function/actspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be accomplished as one step, executed concurrently,substantially concurrently, in a partially or wholly temporallyoverlapping manner, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in thereverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will alsobe noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts orcarry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying a captureoperation of a video stream of a subject located in an environment,wherein the capture operation is performed by a first capture devicefrom a first perspective of the subject; receiving a perspective updaterequest of the video stream; detecting, in response to the perspectiveupdate request, one or more candidate capture devices in theenvironment; selecting, from the one or more candidate capture devices,a second capture device as a selected capture device; instructing, basedon the selected capture device, the second capture device to perform thecapture operation; and transferring the video stream from the firstcapture device to the second capture device, wherein the transferringupdates the video stream to a second perspective of the subject.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selected capture device is a candidatecapture device of the one or more candidate capture devices that isclosest in perspective to the first perspective.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the perspective update request includes one or more definedviewing parameters.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or moredefined viewing parameters is selected from the group consisting of achange in position during the video stream, a change in direction duringthe video stream, and a change in field of view during the video stream.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the perspective update request is fromat least one viewing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod further comprises: receiving a plurality of perspective updaterequests from multiple viewing devices, each of the plurality ofperspective update requests include multiple defined viewing parameters;and generating, based on the multiple defined viewing parameters, theperspective update request.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theperspective update request is related to an average of the multipledefined viewing parameters.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodfurther comprises: determining, based on the perspective update request,an ideal second perspective.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein themethod further comprises: identifying, from the one or more candidatecapture devices, one or more additional perspectives, wherein eachindividual additional perspective is of individual candidate capturedevices of the one or more candidate capture devices; and generating,based on the additional perspectives to the ideal second perspective, alist of candidate perspectives.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theselected capture device is selected based on the list of candidateperspectives.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected capturedevice is selected based on determining a first difference between aperspective of the second capture device and the ideal secondperspective being less than differences between the list of thecandidate perspectives and the ideal second perspective of candidatecapture devices other than the second capture device.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the difference between the second perspective of thesecond capture device and the first perspective of the subject is beyonda predetermined perspective threshold.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the method further comprises: generating, based on thepredetermined perspective threshold, one or more perspective adjustmentsof the first capture device; and providing, before the transferring thevideo stream from the first capture device to the second capture device,to the first capture device the one or more first perspectiveadjustments.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the method furthercomprises: generating, based on the predetermined perspective threshold,one or more perspective adjustments of the second capture device; andproviding, before the transferring the video stream from the firstcapture device to the second capture device, to the second capturedevice the one or more perspective adjustments.
 15. A system, the systemcomprising: a memory, the memory containing one or more instructions;and a processor, the processor communicatively coupled to the memory,the processor, in response to reading the one or more instructions,configured to: identify a capture operation of a video stream of asubject located in an environment, wherein the capture operation isperformed by a first capture device from a first perspective of thesubject; receive a perspective update request of the video stream;detect, in response to the perspective update request, one or morecandidate capture devices in the environment; select, from the one ormore candidate capture devices, a second capture device as a selectedcapture device; instruct, based on the selected capture device, thesecond capture device to perform the capture operation; and transfer thevideo stream from the first capture device to the second capture device,wherein the transferring updates the video stream to a secondperspective of the subject.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein theselected capture device is a candidate capture device of the one or morecandidate capture devices that is closest in perspective to the secondperspective.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the perspective updaterequest is from at least one viewing device.
 18. A computer programproduct, the computer program product comprising: one or more computerreadable storage media; and program instructions collectively stored onthe one or more computer readable storage media, the programinstructions configured to: identify a capture operation of a videostream of a subject located in an environment, wherein the captureoperation is performed by a first capture device from a firstperspective of the subject; receive a perspective update request of thevideo stream; detect, in response to the perspective update request, oneor more candidate capture devices in the environment; select, from theone or more candidate capture devices, a second capture device as aselected capture device; instruct, based on the selected capture device,the second capture device to perform the capture operation; and transferthe video stream from the first capture device to the second capturedevice, wherein the transferring updates the video stream to a secondperspective of the subject.
 19. The computer program product of claim18, wherein the selected capture device is a candidate capture device ofthe one or more candidate capture devices that is closest in perspectiveto the second perspective.
 20. The computer program product of claim 18,wherein the perspective update request is from at least one viewingdevice.